Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight"

While out boating with friends, Phil Collins watched helplessly as one of the friends fell off their boat and into the angry waters of the night. Since Phil couldn't swim, he called upon a man standing on a nearby dock for help. Instead of helping, the man did nothing. They all watched as this man drowned. Years later, Phil released his first solo hit "In the Air Tonight" which details that fateful evening. In the front row of the crowd during one of Phil's concerts is the man from the dock who stood by while Phil's friend drowned. Phil invited that man to the show in order to out him. After performing the song, Phil announced to the crowd what the man had done (and not done). This story is a long-running myth and is 100% false. The only truth in the above paragraph is simply that "In the Air Tonight" was Phil's first solo hit. I remember first hearing the story from my mom's boyfriend in 1993. Nearly a week ago, my friend John sent me a text telling me how he just shared the story behind "In the Air Tonight" with a group of fellow boaters and how freaked out they were. Imagine how they're gonna feel when someone informs them that the story isn't true. Well then what is the haunting tune actually about? Collins said the song roughly details his feelings while going through a divorce with his first wife.